1984 3.8 liter omc stringer swap to 350

[jf5289]

Hey new to the boating world I have a 1984 beach craft open bow with 3.8 liter omc stringer outrdrive what I am wondering is if I can swap to a 350 and what all would swapping to a 350 entail ?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1984 3.8 liter omc stringer swap to 350

Hey new to the boating world I have a 1984 beach craft open bow with 3.8 liter omc stringer outrdrive what I am wondering is if I can swap to a 350 and what all would swapping to a 350 entail ?

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,.... You'd need to swap Everything, from the pulleys, to the Prop,....

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: 1984 3.8 liter omc stringer swap to 350

Depends on the "350"? If it's a 1983 OMC 5.7L marine bobtail, like this one (note no power steering)

it's a pretty simple swap assuming there is room in front of your current V6, and easier if your V6 setup has power steering if you would want ps on the V8.
You would need different gearing in the upper gearcase of the sterndrive (lower unit is the same).

If the "350" you mean is a long block or a car engine or something, then you need so many little obsolete parts it's not worth it.
And if the 350 has a 1 pc rear main seal, it won't work under any circumstance.


Put a Qjet on the 3.8 and it makes an honest 185HP.

 

[jf5289]

Re: 1984 3.8 liter omc stringer swap to 350

Depends on the "350"? If it's a 1983 OMC 5.7L marine bobtail, like this one (note no power steering)

it's a pretty simple swap assuming there is room in front of your current V6, and easier if your V6 setup has power steering if you would want ps on the V8.
You would need different gearing in the upper gearcase of the sterndrive (lower unit is the same).

If the "350" you mean is a long block or a car engine or something, then you need so many little obsolete parts it's not worth it.
And if the 350 has a 1 pc rear main seal, it won't work under any circumstance.


Put a Qjet on the 3.8 and it makes an honest 185HP.

The more research that I have done and as far as cost wise that is the way that I am going to go 3.8 liter rebuild it and get the better carb on it and leave it that way.

 

[Walt T]

Re: 1984 3.8 liter omc stringer swap to 350

I wouldn't put any money in a stringer drive boat. Before you do anything, verify floor and transom integrity. If any soft spots in the floor that means water is under it. Check the transom by thumping it, it should sound solid. I won't work on stringers, mechanics can end up 'married' to them. But that's just my opinion, there's plenty of stringer guys here to help you out.